Often the big boss wants to know why you have not finished a report or project. This lesson explains a few common excuses you can use to satisfy your boss when you are unsure about an outcome. If the boss asks a question like, "Will you be done by this afternoon?" you should give him/her a clear synonymfor being UNSURE.

通常大老板想知道你为什么没完成一份报告或一个项目。本课解释了一些常用的借口，在你对事情的结果不能确定时可以用来应付你的老板。如果你的老板问你一些诸如“你今天下午能完成吗?”之类的问题，你可以给他一个和“不能确定”意思相同的答复。

Synonyms for UNSURE“不能确定的”的同义词：

1) 50/50: "Can you be done by tonight?"

"There is a 50/50 chance."

50%的机会：“你今晚能完成吗?”

“有50%的可能。”

2) It could happen: "Will Bobby get here for the meeting in time?""If he tries hard, it could happen."有可能：“鲍勃能及时赶来参加会议吗?”“如果他尽力而为的话，有可能。”

3) I am not sure: "Can you do some information trading this Friday evening?""At this time I am not sure."我不能确定：“你能在这个星期五晚上做一些信息交易吗?”“现在很难说。”

4) Maybe yes, maybe no: "Will you stamp my visa into your lovely country?""Maybe yes, maybe no!"可能会，也可能不会：“您能为我去贵国签证吗?”“可能会，也可能不会。”

5) "Will our company’s stocks increase in value?""Maybe, time will tell."“我们公司的股票会升值吗”“有可能，时间会证明的。”

Ⅳ.对话篇

Gordon: Miss Molly, will you be done with the stock report by this afternoon?

戈登：莫莉小姐，今天下午以前你能完成这份股票报告吗?

Molly : Sorry to say I am unsure, time will tell.

莫莉：很遗憾我还不能确定，看时间吧。

Gordon: Well, do your best. I am off to lunch now.

戈登：好吧，你尽力而为吧。现在我要去吃午饭了。

Molly : Sir, can you pick me up a sandwich before the cafe closes at two o-clock?

莫莉：先生，您能在咖啡店两点关门之前帮我买一个三明治吗?

Gordon: There is a 50/50 chance. I won’t make it before then, but I will try.

戈登：有五成的可能晚点儿，不过我会尽力。

Molly : Well, do you best.

莫莉：好吧，请尽量帮忙。

Gordon: Oh, did the boss say he would give you a raise?

戈登：噢，老板说过要给你加薪了吗?

Molly : He said maybe yes, and maybe no.

莫莉：他说有可能会，也有可能不会。

Gordon: What does that mean?

戈登：那是什么意思?

Molly : It means if I work hard this month, it could happen.

莫莉：意思是说，如果我这个月工作努力，就很有可能加薪。

Gordon: Good luck.

戈登：祝你好运。

Molly : Thanks.

莫莉：谢谢。